Workplace Injury Lawyers in Dallas

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Have you or a loved one been injured on the job? Sadly, every year thousands of people lose their lives or are severely injured at their workplace. Workers' compensation laws were designed so that if a worker is injured while on the job, their medical needs will be remedied without having to take their employer to court.

When you are covered by workers' compensation, it usually means that you relinquish your right to sue your employer. You may, however, still be entitled to more than just medical bill payment and wage replacement, which is why it would benefit anyone injured on the job to seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney.

Statistics About Workplace Injuries & Illness

The Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities (IIF) program provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2010, there were over 3 million recordable cases of nonfatal injuries and illnesses. Beyond this, there were over 4,000 fatalities in all sectors, with the majority of them coming from incidents on the highway (900), coming from falls (600) and homicides (400). What were the primary causes of the injuries? In 2010, it was reported that there were over:

350,000 sprains, strains and tears

180,000 back injuries

200,000 falls resulting in nonfatal injuries

If you were involved in a workplace accident or if you were injured while on the job, it can be daunting to know where to turn.

At Zinda Law Group, we want you to know that we are here when you need us. We understand what is on the line and we are prepared to go above and beyond in our efforts to protect your rights. No matter whether you are pursuing a workers' compensation or personal injury case, you can trust that we will be able to help you.

Workers' Compensation vs. Personal Injury

There is some confusion regarding the differences between workers' compensation and personal injury claims, and we at Zinda Law Group are here to help clear up any confusion that you may be experiencing.

The first thing that you should know is that workers' compensation is only available to people who have been injured on the job and whose employers subscribe to workers' compensation. If this is not applicable, there is no way for you to pursue its benefits. On the other hand, personal injury is available to anyone who has sustained an injury and who would like to file a claim against the party responsible.

The second largest difference is that workers' compensation is not concerned with who is at fault for the accident. An injured employee can file a clam even if they caused the accident – the same cannot be said for personal injury. The reasoning is that when an employee files a workers' compensation claim, they are releasing the employer for any liability. They cannot file a workers' comp claim and then pursue a personal injury lawsuit to hold the employer accountable for more damages. In a personal injury case, however, fault is everything. It will be the entire purpose of the claim to determine who caused the accident, which play a huge role in determining who pays and how much is paid.

The amount of compensation under a workers' compensation claim can also be limited. The injured employee can only recover as much as the benefits allow–this will typically cover medical expenses, disability payments, and restraining benefits, with limitations set for each. For someone who has sustained catastrophic and even life-threatening injuries, this amount of compensation is almost never enough to fully compensate the injured. While there are some limitations in a personal injury claim, it is much freer than workers' compensation. In cases where it is litigated, a personal injury claim allows for even more wiggle room.

The final difference between these two types of claims is that the workers' compensation claims will be filed with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (TDI-DWC), unlike personal injury claims, which are filed with the court with jurisdiction over your area. When your personal injury case is taken to a courtroom and not settled out of court, you will likely have your case heard before a jury and a judge.

Get Help from Skilled Dallas Workplace Injury Lawyers

In the state of Texas, workers' compensation is not mandatory, meaning you may not have any solution to your immediate medical needs if you are severely injured and can no longer do your job. Worker's compensation laws are complex and subject to change, particularly in our state. If you have been injured on the job, it is important to have qualified and experienced legal representation from the firm so that we can fight for the full compensation you deserve.

On the job injury is far more common in certain fields of work. Construction, for example, has the second highest statistics in the United States for on the job fatalities. Texas ranks in the top 10 workplace injuries per year statistic, and the majority of those injuries occurred on construction sites.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. If we do not win, you will not be responsible for attorney's fees, court costs, or litigation expenses. If you do win, these expenses and unpaid medical bills will be taken from your share of the recovery.